Improvement in corsets



l. W.- ASKIE.

Corset. P10169131, Patented0ct.2=6,1875.

%MW M NT R, I

N PETERS, PHOTO-LITHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. ASKIE, OF MELROSE, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT m coRsE'rs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 169,131, dated October 26, 1875; application filed September 7, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W; ASKIE, of Melrose, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corsets; and I do hereby declare thatthe following is 'a full, clear, and exact description thereof,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention is an improvement in skirtsupporting corsets, and is described in detail below.

In the accompanying illustration, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a corset embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a side view of a portion of the corset when the supporter is used as a bustle. Fig. 4 is a front view of a portion of the corset, showing the position of a strengthening auxiliary stiffener. Fig. 5 is a detached view of the supporter, and Fig 6. is a sectional View upon line as 40.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

a a are shoulder-straps. It is the custom in making corset shoulder-straps to have the rubber elastic exposed, so that, while elasticity is furnished, a disagreeable odor is also produced arising from the contact of the rubber with perspiration from the body, or from atmospheric changes. It is also very apt to rot. Each of the shoulder-straps a. is formed from a single piece of cloth. Within four to six inches of the front end it is made double, in order to strengthen it at the point of fastening to the corset. The back end of the strap is sewed to a piece of elastic, a, which is inserted between the two pieces of cloth of which the corset is constructed, thus forming pockets or sheaths b. The elastic a may be seen in Fig. 2, where a portion of the corset is represented as removed for the purpose. Thus the elastic is kept away from perspiration, and is prevented from rotting or becoming foul. c is thefastening-steel in front of the corset. Inserted within the corset, next to the pocket containing the steel, is an auxiliary strengthener, consisting of twin wired and whalebone 6. By means of this combination additional strength and stiffness are alforded to the steel 0. The parts g h k m form the skirt-supporter attached to the corset. g h are rings, varying in circumference. Each ring is made from .two pieces of corsetjean sewed together with two or more rows of stitching, forming pockets, wherein whalebone is inserted, or other suitable stifieners. The two ends are then sewed together. an is aband made in pockets, and provided with stiffeners of whalebone or other suitable material, sewed, buttoned, or otherwise at tached at its ends to the corset, and passing alternately through slots n in the corset, and through the rings h g, holding the latter tightly in place. It is a supporter or band, made in pockets and provided with suitable stiffeners. It is sewed to the rings h, which are from one-half inch to three inches apart, and has its ends sewed to the ends of the band'm. Iavoid sewing to thecorset direct, and dispense with eyelets and twin wire.

It will be seen that this corset may be opened in the back, as far as desired, without diminishing the strength of the supporter or injuringits efficiency in the least. This has,

never before been accomplished, to the best of my knowledge, in any skirt-supporter opening in the back. The skirt-supporter may easily be used as a bustle by removing.

the band m out of all the slots in the corset, with the exception of the small ones over the hips, next to rings 9 9, thus allowing the four rings h to incline toward the bottom of the corset, the rings j remaining in their places, so as to prevent the Weight of the skirts from coming upon the hips. Of course, one or both ends of the bands m k can be made detachable, if desired.

In Figs. 1 and2 the skirt-supporter is rep-' resented as a supporter. In Fig. 3 it is represented as performing the function of a bustle. When used as a bustle, as will be seen, it is worn underneath the skirts, a thing never before attained by a bustle. All bustles, as now constructed, -must be worn over the skirts next to the dress.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The skirt-supporter herein described, consisting of the rings g h, band or strap m, and supporting-band k, in combination with the corset, provided with slots a, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

JOHN W. ASKIE. Witnesses:

HENRY W. WILLIAMs, JOHN H. GATELY. 

